Jewell is early front runner to be new Plymouth manager

[Day]

PAUL JEWELL has emerged as an early favourite to become the new manager of Plymouth Argyle.

Herald Sport understands there has already been some contact between 45-year-old Jewell and the relegated Championship club.

And it is also rumoured Jewell, who led Bradford City and Wigan Athletic into the Premier League earlier in his managerial career, has paid a visit to Plymouth in recent days.

Jewell resigned as Derby County boss in December 2008, after 13 months at Pride Park.

He has worked as a TV pundit for Sky Sports since then but, according to one source, is eager for a return to football management.

Argyle could be ready to offer him that opportunity, as they search for someone to lead them in their 2010/11 League One campaign.

It follows the decision of the board of directors to relieve head coach Paul Mariner of control of all first team activities.

Argyle chairman Sir Roy Gardner and executive director Keith Todd have already stated a proven, experienced manager will be appointed, and Jewell fits that criteria.

Mariner will revert to his role as head coach under the new boss, whoever it is, while John Carver will also stay on the backroom staff.

The pair have two years remaining on their contracts with the Pilgrims.

Jewell took Wigan from Division Two (now renamed League One) to the Premier League in four years.

His successful stint with the Latics ended in May 2007, when he stepped down after steering them to safety from the threat of relegation.

Jewell returned to the Premier League six months later when he took over at Derby from Billy Davies.

The already-reeling Rams were relegated with only 11 points and one win  which came during Davies' tenure. Jewell led Derby to the semi-finals of the Carling Cup in 2008/09, but they struggled for form in the Championship and he resigned at the end of that December.

Another possible target for Argyle could be Steve Cotterill. His stock has risen considerably after taking over at Notts County in February and leading them from outside a play-off position to the League Two title.

However, Cotterill only has a contract with the cash-strapped Magpies until the end of May, and has already been linked with the vacancy at Coventry City.

Coventry sacked Chris Coleman on Tuesday after they finished 19th in the Championship this season.

Former Scotland boss George Burley, who was a team-mate of Mariner's at Ipswich Town, could also be another contender to take over at Home Park.

Meanwhile, Argyle's out-of-contract left-back Gary Sawyer is in talks with Bristol City about a permanent move to the Robins.

Sawyer, 24, spent the final six weeks of the season on loan to the Ashton Gate club. He had to wait patiently for a first team chance with City, but started their last two matches.

New Robins' boss Steve Coppell starts work next week and is ready to sign the Bideford-born defender on a Bosman transfer.

Sawyer was offered a contract extension by Argyle, but rejected the chance to stay at Home Park.

The former Pilgrims' apprentice made 105 first team appearances for the club and scored five goals.

Argyle centre-back Marcel Seip (pictured right) spent the last four months of this season on loan to another Championship club, Sheffield United.

However, his time at Bramall Lane was disrupted by a hamstring injury.

Seip, 28, made six starts and two substitute appearances for United, but there has been no indication yet they will sign him on a permanent transfer. The Dutch defender still has another season on his contract with Argyle.

http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/argyle/JEWELL-EARLY-RUNNER/article-2132560-detail/article.html

[Dangerous]

anybody who employs that moron is asking for trouble.